Yarn entanglement tester

Claim 2

A yarn entanglement detection apparatus comprising a support means, at least one yarn pretensioning means on said support means, roller means to pull yarn from said yarn pretensioning means, a detection head assembly, said assembly having a groove means through which yarn is adapted to be pulled and a needle means adapted to be selectively placed in said groove and in a retracted position, motor means to turn said roller means, a counter, and electrical circuit means associated with said needle means so as to control the position thereof, and said counter adapted to register each time said needle encounters an intermingling obstruction in a length of yarn being pulled through said apparatus, wherein said circuit means includes a first counter time delay means to retract said needle from said groove for a first small predetermined increment of time after each obstruction is encountered, said delay means cooperating with said circuit means to replace said needle in said groove after said first predetermined increment of time has expired and said circuit means also includes a second time delay relay means to maintain said needle in retracted position for a second predetermined interval of time after said roller means are activated and to then place said needle in said groove for a predetermined third interval of time.

Claim 3

An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said circuit means also includes a third time delay relay means adapted to stop said roller means for a fourth predetermined interval of time after said third interval of time has expired and then to reverse the direction of rotation of said roller means for a fifth predetermined interval of time to allow said yarn to slacken.

Claim 4

An apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said first interval of time is about 250 milliseconds, said second interval of time is approximately 30 seconds, said third interval of time is approximately 200 seconds, said fourth interval of time is 2 seconds and said fifth interval of time is 7 seconds.

Claim 5

A yarn entanglement detection apparatus comprising a support means, at least one yarn pretensioning means on said support means, roller means to pull yarn from said yarn pretensioning means, a detection head assembly, said assembly having a groove means through which yarn is adapted to be pulled and a needle means adapted to be selectively placed in said groove and iN a retracted position, motor means to turn said roller means, a counter, and electrical circuit means associated with said needle means so as to control the position thereof, and said counter adapted to register each time said needle encounters an intermingling obstruction in a length of yarn being pulled through said apparatus, said circuit means includes a laterally adjustable contact member spaced from said needle, said circuit means being operatively associated with said contact member and said needle means so that when said apparatus is activated and an entanglement forces said needle to engage said contact, it will register on said counter and said groove means includes an adjustment screw mounted thereunder, said contact member being mounted for movement toward and away from said needle upon rotation of said screw whereby the amount of force required to force said needle to engage said contact member is selectively adjustable by varying the distance therebetween.

Claim 6

A yarn entanglement detection apparatus comprising a support means, at least one yarn pretensioning means on said support means, roller means to pull yarn from said yarn pretensioning means, a detection head assembly, said assembly having a groove means through which yarn is adapted to be pulled and a needle means adapted to be selectively placed in said groove and iN a retracted position, motor means to turn said roller means, a counter, and electrical circuit means associated with said needle means so as to control the position thereof, and said counter adapted to register each time said needle encounters an intermingling obstruction in a length of yarn being pulled through said apparatus, said circuit means includes a laterally adjustable contact member spaced from said needle, said circuit means being operatively associated with said contact member and said needle means so that when said apparatus is activated and an entanglement forces said needle to engage said contact, it will register on said counter and said groove means includes an adjustment screw mounted thereunder, said contact member being mounted for movement toward and away from said needle upon rotation of said screw whereby the amount of force required to force said needle to engage said contact member is selectively adjustable by varying the distance therebetween.

Claim 7

An apparatus as in claim 4 and also including a shaft mounted on said support means having at least one collar with a groove therein, means to rotate said shaft whereby the test yarns with weights on one end thereof may be fixed at the opposite end, run through said groove means and over said collar in said groove to calibrate the amount of force needed to push said needle means against said contact member.